Arizona Senate Democrats issued a sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump's recent threats toward Iran, even as the administration announced a two-week ceasefire agreement Tuesday night that appears to have pulled the two countries back from the brink of a major military escalation.
The ceasefire came together quickly, brokered largely through Pakistan.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir reached out to President Trump hours before a threatened deadline for large-scale strikes, urging him to pause military action while negotiations continued.
The Floridian reported that Trump agreed to the ceasefire, but he tied the deal to a key condition: Iran must allow full and immediate passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran's acceptance shortly after, stating that safe passage through the strait would be permitted through coordination with Iranian armed forces for the duration of the two-week window.
Peace talks between the two countries are expected to begin on Friday in Islamabad, with Vice President JD Vance likely heading the American delegation.
Reports added that financial markets responded with immediate relief.
S&P 500 futures climbed over one percent while oil prices dropped roughly six percent, reversing a day of losses driven by fears of further escalation.
Senate Democrats Respond
However, before the deal was announced, Arizona Senate Democrats had already gone public with their criticism.
In a statement, the caucus condemned what it described as "unhinged" rhetoric from the president, specifically referencing Trump's earlier threat, made less than 12 hours before the ceasefire, to target Iranian bridges, power plants, and water and oil infrastructure.
"Words like these put American troops at greater risk," the statement read, adding that such threats could constitute war crimes under international law.
The Democrats argued that most Americans oppose the conflict and called on the country to return to the principles of restraint and rule of law.
The ceasefire appears fragile.
Missiles were still launched from Iran toward Israel and several Gulf states after the agreement took effect, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied any ceasefire was in place in Lebanon, though he confirmed Israel would comply regarding Iran.
